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In ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’, tradition oppresses individuals and their relationships, yet it also empowers. Jen is oppressed by the confines of tradition, and her traditional role as a female oppresses her relationship with Lo. Li Mu Bai, however, is empowered by the guidance of tradition. Ang Lee uses film techniques to present this dual affect.
Tradition cleaves Jen from her fighting talents. Jen’s parents force her to marry, but have no parental role; Lee restricts their presence in the film, and so isolates the tradition they carry. Hence Lee conveys that tradition oppresses Jen because it is an unhuman law passed by unhuman parents. Further, Lee contrasts Jen’s behaviour as a fighter with her behaviour at her parents’ home, a motif of tradition. ... Lee captures such contrast to suggest that tradition oppresses Jen because it confines her. ... In the vast red and orange desert, where there are no confines, Jen fights; her flying-style suggests Jen is defying the gravity of tradition.
Approximate Word count = 788
Approximate Pages = 3.2
(250 words per page double spaced)
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